The Turffontein ten-race programme today opens with an 800m juvenile scurry at 12h10 that heralds first runners for Silvano son Vercingetorix and ill-fated National Assembly star Soft Falling Rain, who was the Leading First Crop Sire by Aggregate at the 2018 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, where his offspring made up to R1.4 million.
Both sires were trained by Mike de Kock.
![Vercingetorix](https://www.sportingpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Vercingetorix5.jpg)
Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix was South Africa’s Equus Champion of 2012-2013 and was unbeaten here where he won both the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and G2 KZN Guineas.
Exported to Dubai, Vercingetorix won the Gr1 Jebel Hatta and Gr2 Al Rashidiya and also finished second in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free-where he accounted for the international Gr1 winners Dank, Mshawish, Hunter’s Light and The Fugue.
His well-named son Astrix is given an each way shout by trainer Paul Peter.
Interestingly, an hour later Vercingetorix also has another 2yo runner down in the Cape when Fearless Warrior starts for Vaughan Marshall in the first at Kenilworth. He is currently favourite.
The 2yo Soft Falling Rain filly Makara – no comment provided by trainer Sean Tarry – will also enjoy the honour of being her illustrious Dad’s first runner when she makes her debut against colts at Turffontein.
![](https://www.sportingpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Soft-GodolphinMile.jpg)
Soft Falling Rain wins the Godolphin Mile in 2013
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, she is out of the stakes placed Var mare Varuna, who won three and ran third in the Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery. Soft Falling Rain passed away after colic earlier this year.
He was the Leading First Crop Sire by Aggregate at the 2018 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, where his offspring made up to R1.4 million.
At the 2018 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, they grossed more than R10.2 million and made up to R1.4 million.
First-timer/Rested horses comments:
1 12:10 – ITSARUSH.CO.ZA WELCOMES YOU MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE
1 ARAPAHO P A Peter: If not too short, each way chance
2 ASTRIX P A Peter: Shows some pace, each way chance
3 AXIOS T Spies: Will need the experience
4 BABY LETS MAMBO T Spies: Will need the run
5 CAPTAIN CALLI L J Erasmus (Jnr): Green, Will run a good race
6 DOUBLETHINK P F Matchett: Will need the run
7 DRUMMER DUDE L J Erasmus (Jnr): Green, Will run a good race
8 RING OF FIRE P A Peter: Each way chance
9 TECHEILET C Binda: Quick but may need the run
10 TORO BRAVO C Binda: Quick but may need the run
11 MAKARA S G Tarry: No comment given
2 12:45 – ALL TO COME MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (Fillies)
1 AFRICAN MIDNIGHT D Sham: Will need the experience
2 BASADI FAITH P F Matchett: Will need the run
3 COIRA C E Erasmus: Will be green
4 LISA MARIE P F Matchett: Will need the run
5 MARGOT’S MAGIC R R Magner: Nice filly will probably be a little green
6 ME TIME T Spies: Will need the experience
7 ROSALINA R R Magner: Nice filly but will probably be looking for a little more ground
8 SARAH P A Peter: Speedy and has a chance
9 SAUSALITO L J Erasmus (Jnr): Green, Will run a good race
10 TUNGSTEN P F Matchett: Will need the run
11 WESTERN HIGH P A Peter: Could be a bit short
3 13:20 – TAB PAYS THE FULL DIVIDEND, NO LIMITS MAIDEN PLATE (F & M)
9 JOSI DI NERO (AUS) M N Houdalakis: No comment given
10 NEW WOMEN M F De Kock: Will need the run
12 PRINCESS LOMITA A G Laird: Will need the run, quartet chance
16 TYTRIS W H Marwing: Will need the run
4 13:55 – TAB TELEBET – 0861 000 822 MAIDEN PLATE
8 BATTLE SERMON C J Maree: Will need the run
9 EUROSTORM E Verdonese: Will need the experience
10 GREAT JOE G J Maroun: Will need the run
13 MOMENTO MORI P A Peter: Working well, each way chance
7 15:40 – SOCCER 6, 10 AND 13 PINNACLE STAKES
2 EXQUISITE TOUCH S G Tarry: No comment given
3 CATHEDRAL COUNTY J J van Vuuren: No comment given
7 RED ROCK S G Tarry: No comment given
8 16:15 – WWW.TABONLINE.CO.ZA FM 92 HANDICAP (F & M)
1 MADE IN HOLLYWOOD O A Ferraris: No comment given
3 LAWDY MISS CLAWDY D Sham: Fresh and well but may need the run
5 NAUTIC SPIRIT (AUS) P A Peter: Could need a little bit further
9 16:50 – BOOK A TABLE 0116811508 ASSESSMENT PLATE
3 HEAVENLY RISK M/A Azzie: Decent sort, will be better next time
6 MUSIGNY C Binda: Will need the run
10 17:25 – NEXT TURFFONTEIN RACEMEETING MONDAY 17 DECEMBER MAIDEN PLATE
8 FORT SIOUX G J Maroun: Will need the run
10 JACKPOT JEWEL E Verdonese: Will need the experience
- Thanks to Phumelela Publishing